[rdoty]

I'm considering competitive shooting and I've got all the bases covered except for a .45. So, I have a couple of questions:
1. When someone "accurizes" a pistol what specifically do they do and why? I understand the advantages of adjusting trigger pull and honing the sear but what about all the other stuff? Does it really contribute to accuracy or is it just hocus-pocus that lines the pocket of the gunsmith?
2. I'm on a budget so I'm not able to go out and spend $2500+ on a new pistol. What are some alternatives? Are there some pistols that are good shooters out of the box? What would be a recommended pistol for future upgrade (adding some of that hocus-pocus stuff so I can shoot two-inch groups at 200 yards with my eyes closed!). When they advertise "match" just what does that mean?

[jefmad]

The #1 improvement for a 1911 is to get a good barrel and matching bushing. A KART EZ-Fit barrel is about $145 and properly installed will shrink the group size. On my Dan Wesson it went from 6" groups at 50 years to 2" at 50 yards on a ransom rest with that kit.

[cdrt]

For a Bullseye .45 it's essential to have the slide, barrel, bushing and barrel link all fitted so that the barrel returns to the same position each time the action cycles.

In addition to the trigger job, it's nice to have the front strap either checkered or stippled and a checkered mainspring housing is a nice addition as well.

I had a hardball gun built from a stock Springfield Armory .45. Total cost between the gun and gunsmithing plus parts came to about $900. You can use a hardball gun both in the CF and .45 match and for CMP EIC matches. The only modification might be to use a lighter recoil spring when you're shooting light loads and then install the heavier spring for hardball in the EIC match. I use a 14 pound spring for the EIC match and a 9 pound spring for wadcutters. Most guys get Bo-Mar sights for their hardball gun since they are CMP legal. You can check the latest rules on the CMP website to make sure you get a basic .45 that will be legal before you have it accurized.
http://www.odcmp.com/Competitions/Rulebook.pdf
The pistol chart is on pages 25-26.

We have one shooter is this area who shoots his hardball gun for everything and he's averaging in the high 840s consistently. He legged out in one year after getting his first ten points at Perry last year.

I'm one of those guys who think that you should learn to shoot Bullseye with iron sights first, before moving on to a red dot. It certainly helps if you're going to shoot EIC matches for your Distinguished Pistol Medal.

If you can find a Colt Gold Cup Series 70 for a reasonable price, they will shoot good enough out of the box to begin with. I have a Series 70 that will shoot under 3" at 50 yards in a Ransom rest, which is fairly acceptable for a Bullseye .45. Most shops, like Les Baer advertise 2" groups from their wad guns and 3" for a hardball gun.

I don't shoot the Gold Cup as much as I use to. I had another Series 70 Govt Model accurized by Clark Custom Guns. I use it most of the time for the .45 match. I have another Clark in .38 Special that I use in the CF match.

Hope all this helps.

[Sunray]

A good barrel, good visible sights, a good trigger and good ammo are the minimum. None of which have to cost you the rent/mortgage money. The sights, trigger and ammo are the most important. Most factory barrels will do, but a match grade barrel will be better.
Match grade barrels usually have closer tolerances than stock barrels. However, when starting out, you've got lots of stuff to learn before worrying about placing. Go shoot the matches and have fun first.
This is a good article for FNG's. You'll find the slow fire 10 minutes is a very long time and the 10 seconds for rapid is longer than you think. http://www.bullseyepistol.com/getinto.htm

[rdoty]

Thanks for the input.

I did check a number of sites relative to the Kart EZ-fit barrel. Since I'm mechanically inclined and have more tools than a man should have (I have a small machine shop that keeps me occupied some of the time) I may eventually go that route.

I know the first step is getting a suitable platform so that'll go on my list for the near future. I'm currently honing my skills with a 92FS 9mm, Ruger Mk III, and a new CZ75B 40SW.

By the way, I have a question concerning the qualification requirements for CCW and maybe one of you might know the answer.

I qualified a couple of years ago at 25 yards and shot a high score. Recently I stopped at a local shooting range where they bragged about their 15-yard pistol lanes and their high success rate at qualifying CCW's I asked how they could do that since they only have a 15-yard capability. The response, very arrogant I might add, was that "that's all that's required because if they're inside that range you have a ninety-five percent chance of hitting them and if they're outside that range you can safely turn and run". Now, I was very polite and didn't laugh or spew pepsi out my nose, but his answer stopped me in my tracks.

Now, frankly I admit to not knowing what the requirements are but his answer does have a strange bit of logic to it (although if I'm armed I'm sure as hell not going to present my back to some threat). So, is 15-yards acceptable.... and if so can I go back and re_qualify?

[SoCalShooter]

Les Baer makes an excellent DCM ball gun and wad guns. They guarantee 1 1/2 inch at 50yds with the wad gun and 3 inch with the ball gun. Damn fine weapons.

[skinewmexico]

In some states, you have a duty to retreat at 15 yards. Starting today, not in Texas.

[smoking357]

Go with the Kart E-Z fit. The bushing is already mated to the barrel.

I have never heard a bad thing said about Kart. They are regarded as about the best out there. Champion Shooters out of TN has them in stock.

[rdoty]

Thanks for the info. Seems like there's four options: 1) to buy a custom match-grade and impress everybody with my deep pockets but not my scores (or intelligence) 2) To buy a new but acceptable shooter and as my skills improve, assuming they do, plan on upgrades as I can afford them, 3) Buy a good used platform and upgrade the important things like barrel, trigger and sights or 4) buy a used already upgraded from somebody wanting to sell.

My inclination is to spend a little time borrowing or renting until I have a good feel and save up the money and go with option 2. Since I've already got several pistols to keep me busy it'll give me plenty of time to decide.

Looking over much of the info regarding 1911's a name that popped up is Rock River. Anybody know anything about them? Again, not being familiar with 1911's, they seem to be on the low end of price which would imply lower quality as well but I keep reading about them being pretty good. Also, looking at the Springfield lineup the variety seemed quite confusing. If I was to use one of theirs as a platform what model would I be looking at? The GI-45, the Mil-spec or the TRP?

[Canuck-IL]

RRA are every bit as good as Les Baer products. The hard part is finding one in stock - usual wait is at least 8 weeks, someimtes 12.
/Bryan

[res1b3uq]

There are two Rocks. Rock River and Rock Island. I think you would have a problem finding a Rock River at the discount store.

[rdoty]

res1b3uq You are correct....I was referring to the Rock Island models. The Rock Rivers are custom and a little out of my price range at this point. However, somewhere I did read that the Rock Island models, I think it was called the FS, was a very accurate shooter out of the box. Don't know anybody who has one and I think for another hundred or so bucks I'd go the Springfield route, and my informed sources indicate that the Mil-spec is the best value for a base platform.

[bdutton]

If you get a decent slide and frame from caspian, you can get a good gunsmith to build a gun for you. Slide and frame is about $400 + match barrel bushing $250, drop in trigger about $200, misc parts about $100 + about $150-$250 in gun-smithing costs would get you about $1100-$1200.

[SoCalShooter]

My opinion but if you were to get a les baer you would not need another .45 except for a backup gun.